Roland S. Skelton

Skelton Roland S., age 88, of Mora died Friday, October 11, 2002 at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, MN. He was born to Seward and Laura (Ulvick) Skelton on May 27, 1914 at Moose Lake, MN. He graduated from high school in 1933. He attended his first year of college at Union College in Lincoln, NE in 1933-34. Due to the Depression, he came home and ran the family farm for one year; after which it was sold to the State, which they used for a state hospital for the mentally ill in 1936. From 1936 to 1938 he worked at various jobs including the Duluth News Tribune. In 1938, he resumed his college eduation by enrolling at the University of Minnesota and graduated with a degree in Agriculture Education in 1941. He taught Agriculture at Hinckley High School from 1941 to 1951. He also taught Veterans Ag from 1951-1956. In 1952, he took a position in the Farmers and Merchant State Bank where he worked until 1956; when he accepted the position of County Extension Director in Kanabec County. In 1976, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Award at the National Convention in Hartford, Connecticut. He retired from this position in 1980. Roland was united in marriage to Emily Taylor on June 3, 1939. To this marriage one daughter was born. Emily died in 1990. He had been active in community affairs as well as professional organizations. He served one term on the Mora Village Council. He was a member of the Mora Methodist Church and Masonic Lodge, the Lions Club, the Mora Chamber of Commerce and Kanabec County Fair Board. Roland loved history and helped write a book on the history of the Skelton family in Europe and the United States. During his lifetime he was active in golf, hunting, and gardening. He took several trips to Europe and Hawaii. He also had a great love for cats and dogs. Roland is survived by daughter, Margaret, of Eagan, MN; one brother, Leon, of North Branch, MN; and one sister, Carmelita, of Simi, CA; as well as several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday at 2 pm at the Mora United Methodist Church in Mora, MN. Visitation will be held 1 hour prior to service at church. Interment at Oakwood Cemetery, Mora, MN. Arrangements by Akkerman-Ingebrand Funeral Home, Mora, MN.

Published on October 13, 2002